Freedom, But Not Self-Indulgence--Feb. 4, 2021

 

God of Mercy, Grace, and Righteousness,

you have promised that your steadfast love

will never depart from us, and your covenant

of peace shall not be removed.

 

You call us to freedom,

but we are not to use our freedom

for self-indulgence. 

 

Just as your love shall not depart from us,

we must not fail to love one another.

 

God, forbid that we should be so foolish

as to try to gain the whole world

only to forfeit our life.

 

Lectionary Readings

Ps. 116; 147:12-20; 26; 130

Isa. 54:1-17

Gal. 5:1-15

Mark 8:27-9:1

 

Selected Verses 

Ps. 116:5

 Gracious is the LORD, and righteous;
          our God is merciful.

 

Isa. 54:10

For the mountains may depart
          and the hills be removed,
but my steadfast love shall not depart from you,
          and my covenant of peace shall not be removed,
          says the LORD, who has compassion on you.

 

Gal. 5:13

For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters; only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for self-indulgence, but through love become slaves to one another. 

 

Mark 8:36

“…For what will it profit them to gain the whole world and forfeit their life?  …”  [Jesus, with his disciples, to the crowd]